Mark
If Swinley Forest planted a few thousand mature trees (including a judiciously chosen few in their bunkers) they could challenge Pine Valley for #1 in a New Jersey minute!
Rich,
The problem is simply that even with the deficiencies in the present day maintenance of Pine Valley, there are no other classic courses that are being maintained so much better as to overcome it's huge lead in world-class holes.
The closest is probably Shinnecock, but it's tough to make a serious argument that it stands up hole for hole against PV.
NGLA may be the best case for us purists, but it's a long stretch to convince the scratch or pencil-carrying player.
Others like Merion and Cypress have their own issues, not the least of which is some questionable bunker work in recent years.
ANGC has plantings of trees galore, and at about 7500 yards, is starting to become a Frankensteinian monster bearing little relationship to what it could and should be.
Pinehurst #2 is a bit too one-dimensional in terms of the challenge provided.
I need to study Oakmont more, admittedly, since it's been since 1983 that I've been there.
But, for me...
I think Sand Hills is the best course in the country.
I'm also beginnning to think that some of our other modern favorites should rank higher in the pantheon of overall courses than they presently do, largely due to historical reputation.
For instance, I played Boston Golf Club recently and I'd be very hard pressed to name ten courses, past or present, that I've enjoyed more.